WASHINGTON - Scientists say they are a step closer to developing materials that could render people and objects invisible.
Researchers have demonstrated for the first time they were able to cloak three-dimensional objects using artificially engineered materials that redirect light around the objects. Previously, they only have been able to cloak very thin two-dimensional objects.
The findings, by scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, led by Xiang Zhang, are to be released later this week in the journals Nature and Science.
The new work moves scientists a step closer to hiding people and objects from visible light, which could have broad applications, including military ones.
People can see objects because they scatter the light that strikes them, reflecting some of it back to the eye. Cloaking uses materials, known as metamaterials, to deflect radar, light or other waves around an object, like water flowing around a smooth rock in a stream.
Metamaterials are mixtures of metal and circuit board materials such as ceramic, Teflon or fiber composite. They are designed to bend visible light in a way that ordinary materials don't. Scientists are trying to use them to bend light around objects so they don't create reflections or shadows.
It differs from stealth technology, which does not make an aircraft invisible but reduces the cross-section available to radar, making it hard to track.
The research was funded in part by the U.S. Army Research Office and the National Science Foundation's Nano-Scale Science and Engineering Center.
To summarize: Before, scientists were only able to make reaaaallly thin two-dimensional objects invisible.
Now they've discovered how to make three-dimensional objects invisible. The scientists who found the findings aren't releasing the said findings until later this week.
This is so awesome... ^-^
TO THE GIRLS LOCKER ROOM!
Wow...for once in my life...I agree with you. *gasps*
this is now truths?
Wow...for once in my life...I agree with you. *gasps*
My sentiments exactly.
this is now truths?
Hahahaha! Hilarous! And yes...strange feeling, is it not Rishi? 😛
Wow, a fabric that bends light. Hmm... If only I could get my hands on that.
......Yeah.
TO THE GIRLS LOCKER ROOM!
Wow...for once in my life...I agree with you. *gasps*
You never even talk to me.
I don't really talk to anyone on these boards. But we should totally set up some voicechat thing one day...somehow. That would own. 😛 And darklordpeaches, I like your idea. Should you need an accomplice...I am awaiting your call.
I accept your offer. Now, grab me a copy of MGS4.
*grabs himself and darklordpeaches a copy* Muhahah! They'll never know what hit them.
I stand corrected. You never even disagreed with me.
Just imagine what else we could accomplish with this power...
Oh, yeah...
A British study did this to a Cahllenger-2 tank last year, IIRC. o.o;
With this power we could rule. We could solve all the problems that no one else could. We could become all-powerful! No one would be able to stop us!! Come, Hypersonic2003, we go to conquer!!